Breast swelling and PVT
Five years ago I had an implant removed and had a bilateral lift and replacement implants in both breasts. I've been experiencing intermittent swelling on the left side. Investigations include MRI, CT, ultrasound, 2x core biopsies axilla LN. Findings: 5x0.5cm portal vein thrombosis. The swelling in the breast is quite large this time and uncomfortable. I've had more blood tests than I can remember, nothing seems to point to anything in particular causing either the clot or the swelling or if they are in fact related. I have a history of fibromyalgia, although I wonder if some of the symptoms are actually caused by the silicone I've had in my body for 15+5 years. I am 40 years old. Any advice on cause or pathway forward would be appreciated.
That is not great news. Consider an evaluation by a Hemtologist for a HyperCoagulation Syndrome that may causing you to clot. These are typically herditary conditions that can be diagnosed with a series of blood tests. Dr Haydon is correct. It would be extremely unlikely that silcone is the cause of your condition.
Textured implants & ALCL are a seperate issue. This normally would present with a chronic seroma or fluid collection arround your left breast implant. The MRI & U/S tests you have done would have disclosed this fluid??
Sorry for your trouble. That is very confusing. The portal vein is not related to the breast and so it's hard to imagine how the two would be related. If there is no fluid around the implant, but rather just swelling in the breast tissue, that is less of a worry. There is no data to suggest the silicone causes problems. If older generation (prior to 1998) implants rupture, patients can get some lymph node swelling secondary to silicone infiltration. This is usually just 1-2 and has not caused limb or breast swelling in my experience. Best of Luck!